homeCol de Sarenne
Col de Sarenne Height Climbing height - length
1999m 967m - 12.8 km (Bge du Chambon/Mizoën)
1392m - 21.5 km (Bourg d’Oisans via Alpe d’Huez)
1373m - 22 km (Bourg d’Oisans via Col du Cluy)
1291m - 26.4 km (Bourg d’Oisans via Lac du Chambon)
1480m - 28.80 km (Rochetaillée via Villard-Reculas)
1419m - 25.88 km (Bge du Verney via Villard-Reculas)
Difficulty Beauty
3-4 (5) 4 (5)
How to get there

The classic Alpe d’Huez climb is part of the western approach to this pass. One could do the full Alpe d’Huez climb from Le Bourg d’Oisans (717m) or one could come down from the Col de la Croix de Fer (2065m) road and take off at the southern side of the dam Barrage du Verney (772m), and climb via Villard-Reculas and Huez (1480m) to the pass. The eastern climb starts by the big dam, Barrage du Chambon (1040m), on the Col du Lautaret (2057m) road.

All the approaches are steep, but the easiest is the one from Bge du Verney, where the road is almost flat for some kilometres between Villard-Reculas and Huez (1480m). This is probably also the most beautiful way to go to the pass. The road goes descends a little between Alpe d’Huez and the pass. There are several rough water drainage passages (cobblestoned depressions in the road) on both sides of the pass. You can also climb from Bourg d’Oisans via the gravel road pass Col du Cluy (1801m) with 6.7 km of gravel road that should be mostly fine.

Other comments There are plenty of cyclists in this region because of the magnetism that Alpe d’Huez has on cyclists worldwide. The most “direct” climb from Bge du Chambon may be preferable if you do not like too much traffic. Mizöen and Besse may be good places to stay at for the night if you wish to avoid the more touristy Alpe d’Huez area. For the Alpe d’Huez climb, see Col du Poutran (1996m). See the profile for the climb via Bge du Chambon. See also the exciting gravel road climb above Besse to Col de Saint Georges (Chalet Josserand) (2245m)
[FR-38-1999]
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